The Democratic National Committee voted Friday to put South Carolina first in the 2028 presidential primary calendar, a move that solidifies the party's shift away from New Hampshire's decades-long lead-off position. Nevada secured the second slot, while New Hampshire—which had fought to retain its first-in-the-nation status—came in third.
The decision follows a contentious debate within the party about representation and electoral strategy. South Carolina, a diverse state with a significant Black electorate, was seen by many as a better bellwether for the party's coalition. New Hampshire, predominantly white and rural, had held the first primary since 1920.
Meanwhile, President Trump's 10 percent tariffs are set to expire Friday, but the administration is not easing trade pressure. U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer announced new levies Thursday that will replace the old ones, ranging from 10 percent to 12.5 percent. These fresh import taxes target 60 countries, covering 99 percent of U.S. imports, and are tied to the elimination of forced labor. International trading partners criticized the new tariffs Friday, with some vowing retaliation. For context, two businesses have already challenged Trump's latest tariffs under Section 301, arguing they exceed legal authority.
On the defense front, U.S. forces have been conducting strikes against Iran for nearly two straight weeks. Republican defense hawks are urging Trump to escalate into major combat operations, though the White House has not signaled a broader war. The administration's use of an obscure 1930 tariff law has also redefined the Canada trade conflict, adding another layer of tension.
Trump is scheduled to speak Friday evening at the rescheduled White House Correspondents' Association dinner. The association earlier this week said it will honor a Secret Service agent who played a key role in stopping a gunman who tried to assassinate Trump during the annual dinner this spring. The president is expected to deliver a speech that is both unifying and pointed, according to aides. The event comes amid heightened security and political drama, with Trump returning to the stage after the assassination attempt.
Congress is largely on break—the House began a five-week recess, while the Senate returns Monday. Tension is rising between Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) and the White House as the upper chamber struggles to pass Trump's top legislative priority: the SAVE America Act. The bill faces an uncertain path, with some Republicans expressing concerns about its scope and cost.
In other news, the Trump administration has admitted a political basis for canceling blue-state green grants, a move that has drawn accusations of partisanship. The administration also scrapped a federal rule linking statistical disparities to school discrimination, a policy change that could reshape civil rights enforcement in education. And Trump claimed four new reactors hit a milestone, touting a nuclear revival that critics say is overstated.
Follow live updates below for the latest developments on tariffs, the primary calendar, and the WHCA dinner.
